What did the Bombay High Court order regarding STPs in Pune?

The Bombay High Court ordered in January 2026 that occupancy certificates would not be issued for high-rises unless they are connected to civic sewage lines or have functional Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) on their premises.

What is the state of groundwater quality in Pune?

A 2023-24 report indicated that groundwater quality in Pune is concerning, with only two out of six monitored stations recording 'good water', one 'poor', and three deemed 'unsuitable for drinking'.

What financial impact does water contamination have on Pune residents?

Some residents in areas like Wakad are forced to spend significant amounts on water tankers annually, which can constitute 40-45% of their housing society's budget, due to contaminated water sources.

Home / Environment / Pune's Rivers Choke: Sewage Overloads Critical STPs

Pune's Rivers Choke: Sewage Overloads Critical STPs

4 Feb

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Summary

Bombay High Court mandated occupancy certificates for buildings with STPs.
Groundwater quality in Pune is poor, with some sources unsuitable for drinking.
Residents spend significantly on water tankers due to contaminated sources.

Pune's Rivers Choke: Sewage Overloads Critical STPs

Deteriorating river health in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad is largely attributed to inadequate sewage treatment. In January 2026, the Bombay High Court mandated that occupancy certificates (OCs) would only be issued for high-rises connected to civic sewage lines or equipped with on-site STPs.

This directive is crucial as rapid development in Pune spawns new housing societies daily. Incidents like bloodworms found in drinking water in Hinjewadi highlight the severity of untreated sewage contaminating natural water sources. Groundwater quality reports from 2023-24 reveal alarming pollution levels, with some sources deemed unsuitable for drinking.

Many societies, like Casa Imperia Phase 1, rely on expensive water tankers annually due to wells becoming contaminated by nearby sewage. Despite functional STPs and efforts to reuse treated water, the overall infrastructure struggles to cope.